Best World Heritage Sites In Asia

Amazing View Of A World Heritage Site From The ObservatoryShirakawago

Shirakawa Village is a heavy snowfall area, but it snowed not so much for us to visit here this winter. And we can enjoy the snowy landscape as much as we want! It will snow more during February, so you're still in time to see this scenery.

World Heritage Including The Gorgeous Yōmei-mon ArchNikko Toshogu Shrine

The most famous thing in Nikko Toshogu Shrine is this Yōmei-mon Arch. It's resistered as a world heritage. This Yomeimon gate has an Edo period architectural style, crafts, sculptures, paintings, and all of the cultures of this age.  

World Heritage Gokayama, The Snow Scenery Of Gassho Zukuri HousesGokayama Village Of Gassho Houses

Goyakama is an area of a world heritage with Shirakawago. Suganuma area and Ainokura area of Gokayama are smaller than Shirakawago, but there are full of the atmosphere of secret countryside with the mountains standing very close! You can see the peaceful country scene of gassho zukuri architectures (historical thatched steep roof).◎Suganuma and Ainokura both have parking lot. There're bus from JR Johana Sta. and Takaoka Sta. but you need to confirm the bus timetable. The illumination date changes every year, so check out the web beforehand.

Stunning View Of A World Heritage! Pure White Himeji Castle Above The Cherry BlossomsHimeji Castle

Himeji Castle is the first site registered as a world heritage in Japan. In spring, as many as 1000 trees of Somei Yoshino Cherry bloom around the castle. The purely white Himeji Castle and pale pink cherry blossoms make so beautiful collaboration!

Winter Event! A World Heritage Glover Garden's Illumination & The Night View Of NagasakiGlover Garden

Glover Garden was registered as a world heritage in 2015. In Christmas season, it's lit up and has different atmosphere than usual! You can see the night Nagasaki city illumination.◎Parking area is available near here. But its better for you to go to Oura Tenshu-dou Shita Station, then walk to Glover Garden. I took these photos in 2012, it has become more gorgeous now for such as projection mapping.

Good Fortune By Mame-maki & Walking Around The Seven Deities! Setsubun-kai At A World Heritage SiteTenryu Temple

Here is not an ordinary Setsubun-kai, people walk around the pagodas of Zen Buddhism and gather the charms of the Seven Deities. There're many people with 'good luck bamboo grass' in their hands at the precinct. The sponsors throw roasted beans (mame-maki) and say 'in with fortune' (huku wa uchi). Let's take in lots of good fortune!

A World Heritage, Itsukushima Shrine You Can See Also Wild AnimalsItsukushima Shrine

Many wild deer live in Miyajima, and they sometimes appear around Itsukushima Shrine. Not only deer, you see some wild birds such as herons and ducks. But, be careful not to be robbed your bag by deer!◎Ferry is available from a port near Miyajima-guchi Station. Most parking areas are located around Miyajima-guchi Station. But in the seasons of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, Miyajima would be very crowded.

A Phoenix Hall, A World Heritage Floating On The LakeByodoin Temple

A palace built in a small island on the lake. A unique world heritage of gorgeous building that symbolize Fujiwara Sekkan Era. You should see the shrine once that is famous for Japanese coin of 10 yen. Moreover it became brighter after the repair.

Rise and Fall, the Ruins that Recall Worker's Sprit at that time, Spotlighted Again as the World HeritageGunkanjima Island

The Hashima Island looks like a military ship. The ruins were the first apartments constructed of concrete in Japan and look weird now. But just the scenery of this World Heritage can recall worker's sprit in the coal mine at that time.

A World Heritage Having Supported The Modernization Of JapanTomioka Silk Mill

The utmost of 'Made In Japan'. Tomioka silk mill that had pushed forward the modernization of Japan has a strong power!

Breathtaking Panoramic View From The World HeritageKatsuren Castle

Even its decent figure standing on the mountain top is nice, the superb view from the 100meters high fascinates the traveler's hearts more than anything. In the castle site, you can enjoy virtual trip going back 600 years.

Lightened 'Kompon Daito' A Symbol Of A World Heritage 'Koya-san'Danjo Garan

Koya-san is a world heritage and the sacred place for Japan's esoteric Buddhism. Kompon Daito is a beautiful symbol as high as 50m. It stands in the site of Danjo Garan and lightened up at night. The silhouetted figure against the darkness was very impressive.◎The daytime was crowded with many people but we could enjoy the illumination without haste at night. It'll be good for you to stay at an accommodation of temple and walk around Koya-san at night.

The Autumn Scenery Of A World Heritage TempleHouki-ji Temple

Houki-ji (or Hokki-ji) Temple is a famous cosmos spot in Nara. The cosmos spreading at 20 thousand square meters site is very impressive.

The Milky Way Of A World Heritage Onigajō CliffOnigajō Cliff

In Kumano, Mie Prefecture, a world's heritage site 'Onigajō' is a great cliff created by rough seas. It's very interesting place of the ragged rocky stretch. What's more, it's an excellent place to observe the Milky Way, because the Pacific Ocean stretching from east to south.

Must See Someday! Kinkaku-ji Shining With Pure White SnowKinkakuji Temple

After it snows in Kyoto City, shrines and temples of world heritages can change completely. Especially, winter Kinkaku-ji is so beautiful like this pics! Many people from all over the world come to see this golden pavilion, and sometimes there're a line of people for the snowscape worth visiting in spite of a cold weather!◎If the cold wave comes in Kyoto City and the snow clouds comes at the same time, it's a chance to see Kinkakuji in the snow. (I took these pics on snowy day in 2011 and 2017, I decided to visit by the weather forecast two days before.) You need to leave before the snow melts. Bus is available from Kyoto Station. Leave with time to spare on snowy days.

Be Enchanted by Beautiful Amulets of Shimogamo Shrine, Also Known as Kamo Mizu Shrine, World Cultural Heritage Site Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya Shrine)

The amulet at Shimogamo Shrine is said to be extremely beautiful. The most popular amulet, made of delicate openwork lace, has Shimogamo Shrine's divine emblem Futaba Aoi and Wisteria Pattern woven into it, and when held up to the sky, its delicate beauty becomes even more vivid. It is said that if you carry it carefully or display it in a clean room, it will bring you good luck. Please note that the seasonal charm with a snowflake motif is only available during the winter season.

A Deep Red World HeritageShuri Castle

Ryukyu Kingdom's symbolic building. Its deep red gives a strong impression against the background of the blue sky in Okinawa. You must-see spot in Okinawa.

A Passionate Vermillion Shrine As The World HeritageKasuga Taisha Shrine

The main shrine of Kasuga shrines all over Japan. Vivid vermilion building, green trees and gold lanterns, a fantastic and mysterious shrine it is.

A World Heritage Site We Can Meet Deer As A Natural MonumentNara Park

More than 1000 wild deer live in the huge park with lush greenery, and we can meet them freely. Some stands sell Shika Senbei (deer's cracker), and you can feed them, but please beware of so many deer getting together around you!

New Year At A world Heritage! Japan's Greatest Waterfall Lit Up In The DarknessNachi Falls

Nachi Waterfall is proud of the highest drop in Japan as a single waterfall. It's one of the three best waterfalls in Japan, and one element of a World Heritage 'Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range'. It's lit up from New Year's Eve to the dawn of New Year's Day, so you can see the beautiful and mysterious Nachi Waterfall!◎Train and bus are available in daytime, but they may not in service in night-time. Using car is the best way to visit in night-time.

A World Heritage ' Sacred Places In Kii Mountain Country And The Approach To The Shrine'Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

The building resistered as a national important cultural asset, and the Torii gate is the highest in Japan. Many things worth seeing.

A Red Arch Of A Holy World HeritageShinkyo Bridge

Here is crowded as a starting place of Nikko sightseeing. A mysterious traditions about the bridge and a beautiful arch attract us.

World Heritage Sight You Can Meet in the Hotel RoomShiretoko Daiichi Hotel

I stayed at the Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel. The Utoko town sights, the Sea of Okhotsk and the sun setting on the World Heritage Shiretoko could be seen.